After Karel Bennett was turned away at the U.S. land border between B.C. and Washington state final month, she did not surrender hope of getting into the U.S. to see her new child grandson.
The Canada-U.S. land border is closed to non-essential travel to assist cease the unfold of COVID-19. However, Bennett had heard rumours she could still have the opportunity to fly to the U.S.
She stated she was first tipped off by U.S. border officers at the crossing the place she was denied entry.
“They said, ‘Have you thought about flying?’ And I said, ‘Well, no,’ and they said, ‘You might want to look at that.'”
Bennett was determined to go to her daughter, who lives just exterior Seattle, as a result of her daughter’s one-month-old son was sick with a respiratory drawback. So, Bennett took an opportunity and booked a flight from Vancouver to Seattle on May 22. This time, she had no issues getting via U.S. customs and getting into the nation.
“I just couldn’t believe it,” stated Bennett, who lives in Sooke, B.C. “I was so happy.”
Many Canadians are unaware that, regardless that they’re at the moment barred from driving to the U.S. for leisure travel, they can still fly to the nation.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) advised CBC News that its travel restrictions apply solely to Canadians making an attempt to enter the U.S. at land border crossings, which incorporates travel by car, practice, ferry and pleasure boats.
However, Canadian air passengers can still enter the nation so long as they have not visited Brazil, China, Iran, Ireland, the U.Okay. or 26 European nations in the Schengen Area 14 days prior.
Canadian travellers additionally probably will not have to self-isolate for 14 days upon arrival. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that worldwide travellers accomplish that, but it surely’s not a requirement except specified by a selected area or state. For instance, Hawaii requires that air passengers self-isolate for 14 days.
When Canadians return house, they need to self-isolate for 14 days — as per federal guidelines.
Flying rule not broadly identified
The U.S. air travel rule is not broadly identified on both aspect of the border. U.S. immigration lawyer Len Saunders stated he solely grew to become conscious of the particulars when certainly one of his Canadian purchasers referred to as him in mid-May — from Las Vegas.
The shopper reported that he had managed to fly from Vancouver to go to his fiancée, who lives in Las Vegas.
“I was shocked,” stated Saunders, whose workplace sits shut to the Canadian border in Blaine, Wash. “Logically, when you look at it, if the border’s closed, it shouldn’t be any different whether you drive or fly.”
Saunders instantly unfold the phrase about flying to the U.S. to his Canadian purchasers who’ve family members in the nation. He stated dozens of them have since flown there and skilled no issues or self-isolation necessities.
“It’s given them the opportunity to reunite with family members, so it’s definitely a welcome loophole to many Canadians.”
Saunders advises folks to e book their flights on-line. His purchasers who’ve tried to purchase a aircraft ticket to the U.S. by telephone have usually been rejected by airline brokers unaware that it is allowed, he stated.
“Don’t talk to an agent, and you’ll have no problem.”
Some U.S. airways at the moment supply routes between Canada and the U.S., and Air Canada resumed service to the U.S. on May 22.
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The permission to fly is not reciprocal: Canada prohibits U.S. guests from getting into the nation by way of all modes of transport — together with by aircraft. However, this week, the Canadian authorities loosened its travel restrictions to permit U.S. residents with instant household in Canada to enter the nation.
Last month, Canada and the U.S. agreed to maintain their shared land border closed to non-essential visitors till June 21, and, in accordance to sources with direct information of the scenario, that date will likely be prolonged. But Canadians will still have the opportunity to fly to the U.S., except the nation revises its guidelines.
Why let Canadians fly to the U.S.?
Bennett spent 10 days in the U.S. and is grateful she had the alternative to reunite along with her daughter and assist take care of her new grandson, who has since recovered from his sickness.
“There’s really no words to express it. I’m very thankful,” she stated about her go to.
But Bennett stated she’s confused about why she was allowed to fly to the U.S. when the Canada-U.S. land border is closed.
“It’s very bizarre,” she stated. “Why would they do that?”
CBP did not present CBC News with an evidence. Instead, it despatched a hyperlink to a Department of Homeland Security doc that states that “non-essential travel between the United States and Canada poses additional risk of transmission and spread of COVID-19.”
However, the doc does not state why its travel restrictions for Canadians solely apply to land border crossings.
Saunders stated he is stumped why the U.S. is still permitting Canadians to fly to the nation for non-essential travel.
“It makes no sense, but many Canadians are happy to take advantage of this loophole.”
A phrase of warning
The Canadian authorities at the moment advises its residents to keep away from travelling overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But it will not forestall them from visiting the U.S. or different nations and can permit travellers to return to Canada — so long as they self-isolate for 14 days.
However, due to the authorities’s travel advisory, Canadians will probably face problem getting travel insurance coverage that gives medical protection in the event that they fall sick with COVID-19 whereas overseas.
Total U.S. coronavirus instances surpassed two million on Wednesday. Canada’s instances stood at just over 99,000.
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